DOST to build locally developed ‘hybrid trains’ for PNR

The Department of Science and Technology’s Metals Industry Research and Development Center said on Wednesday it will provide “locally developed” hybrid trains for the Philippine National Railways (PNR).

Jonathan Puerto, deputy executive director of MIRDC, said it will build two prototype hybrid train sets for PNR to augment the cabins provided by Japan.

Pueto said PNR authorities connected other idle coaches from Japan to the locomotive engine of the older trains to accommodate PNR.s rising ridership.

MIRDC officials said the move to produce local trains also promotes “localization of operations” as they attempt to “revive the manufacturing industry of the country.”

Aside from supplying the PNR with hybrid trains, the DOST also sees the UP Diliman trains and railroad project, as well as the road trains to be deployed at EDSA as a big contribution to the country’s transport sector.